"I write because I find humor in the absurdities of daily life. Sometimes I feel sadness too, and I find I can write my tears away. I write when I'm angry and feel I must right a wrong. I write when I'm touched and want others to see beauty and gentleness. I write, as many others do, because I must." -Elaine Fantle Shimberg

Thousands Flock TV5's Artista Academy Grand Auditions

The biggest celebrity search is on and all for P20M! Last Tuesday, the Smart Araneta Coliseum became filled to the rafters with showbiz aspirants aged 16 to 22 years old who came with their companions / parents / chaperons / managers. It was like a scene lifted straight from the American Idol auditions we see on TV. I was told that the event, which was supposed to end at 9PM, wrapped up at around 4AM the next day!

TV5 kicked-off this much-awaited search for the network's next big stars with the Artista Academy's one-day-only auditions. This celebrity search is currently the biggest and most intensive of its kind that's ever mounted on Philippine television. Who wouldn't want to win when there's over P20M in total prizes to be given away?!

The young people who flocked to The Big Dome took the first step to the glamorous artista life armed with their birth certificates, valid IDs and best glam photos. Many are dressed to the hilt and completely made up; some having more colors on their faces than needed. It was impressive to see a lot of those young people confidently posing on stage and smiling at the cameras while judges decide who will go through to the next level.

My friends and I spotted several cuties and took photos of those we thought would make it. It's funny how different our tastes are. I totally disagree with some of their choices LOL! Anyhow, we spotted a couple of young men who are related to celebrities. Find who they are in this blog's Facebook page's photo album of the Artista Academy auditions.

Spotted Marvin Agustin taping a footage with some of the applicants

The grand auditions proved to be a memorable and fun-filled (well, at least to those who got in) experience to applicants who patiently waited in line for their turn at a few seconds of fame up on the stage. I didn't get to see them but I heard there were various booths where participants can have a makeover and have their photos taken which instantly appeared as magazine cover photos. There was also a VTR/acting booth with on-site editing where hopefuls acted out scenes from teleseryes and commercials as well as freebies and an electronic raffle for special prizes.

Two of my bets :) Forgot to get their names though

On top of the P20M total prizes -- which happens to be the biggest amount to be given by any talent show in the history of Philippine TV -- Artista Academy will grant contestants full scholarship to the Asian Academy of Television Arts (AATA) where they would undergo the most intensive training with the best professionals in the industry.

If you were there at the auditions, check out this photo album on Facebook and see if I was able to capture you in my camera :) Good luck to all those who received a golden blue ticket!

Who is:

I am a contributing writer to various Philippine print and online publications. I blog because I enjoy writing about other topics that are not assigned by my editors. I'm a mom of four boys and wife to a man I consider my bestest friend in the world.

"I write because I find humor in the absurdities of daily life. Sometimes I feel sadness too, and I find I can write my tears away. I write when I'm angry and feel I must right a wrong. I write when I'm touched and want others to see beauty and gentleness. I write, as many others do, because I must." -Elaine Fantle Shimberg